MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia hosted the Japan State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Riosey Tanaka. The Ministers discussed the existing and future prospects of trade, economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, general economic conditions, investment and infrastructure projects of Georgia were introduced the Japanese side.

Giorgi Gakharia expressed his gratitude to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for their projects implemented in Georgia. It should be noted that JICA supported several grant programs in Georgia which contributed to the rehabilitation and development of the important economic sectors in the country. Currently, JICA is implementing major renewable energy and infrastructure development projects in Georgia. In order to support the development of the renewable energy in Georgia, JICA has allocated more than 4 million USD as a grant and about 45 million USD as a loan. Besides, the agency has supported the development of the East-West Highway, for which it allocated a 190 million USD loan.

Giorgi Gakharia introduced in details to the Japanese side the tremendous potential of Georgia to be formed as a transit hub in the Caucasus region. The Minister also spoke about the investment projects of Gonio and Tskaltubo resorts and highlighted the importance of supporting the tourism businesses in order to help the development of the tourism sector in Georgia.

During the meeting, the two sides also discussed the future steps of the development of the bilateral trade and the export potential between the two countries in terms of the promotion of traditional Georgian export productions on the Japanese market which will contribute to the growth of exports. The Japan State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism expressed the readiness to further cooperate on infrastructure, tourism, and trade issues with the Georgian side.

Giorgi Gakharia also expressed the hope that Japan will support the candidacy of Zurab Pololikashvili at the Secretary General elections of the World Tourism Organization.